Chapter 4: The Question Nobody Wanted to Answer
“Diane, I asked you a question.””
Daniel's voice was low, but the anger underneath it was unmistakable.
His wife stood at the foot of Maya's hospital bed, still holding the dark red hoodie. Her fingers had twisted the fabric into a tight bundle.
Maya watched her mother with frightened eyes.
Dr. Reynolds stepped between the family and the ultrasound monitor.
"Mr. Carter, I understand that you have questions. However, I need to explain something about Maya's examination.""
Daniel barely glanced at him.
"Then explain it.""
The doctor looked toward Maya.
"First, I want to make sure she's comfortable. Sarah, could you check whether she's experiencing any additional symptoms?""
The nurse nodded and approached the bed.
"Maya, sweetheart, can you tell me whether the pain has changed?""
"It's still there," Maya answered.
"It comes and goes, but it hasn't stopped.""
Sarah checked her observations and made another note.
Daniel moved closer.
"Is she in danger?""
"We're assessing that carefully," Dr. Reynolds replied.
"I don't want to give you incomplete information.""
"Then give us complete information.""
Diane finally spoke.
"Daniel, please stop pressuring him.""
Daniel turned sharply.
"Stop pressuring him? Our daughter is in a hospital bed, and you keep telling everyone to stop asking questions.""
"I'm trying to keep things calm.""
"Then tell me why Maya thinks you already knew something.""
Diane looked at her daughter.
"Maya, this isn't the time.""
Maya's eyes widened.
"Why do you keep saying that?""
"Because you're unwell.""
"I was unwell at home, too. You said it was nothing.""
Diane lowered the hoodie.
"I thought you were having ordinary stomach discomfort.""
"Then why did you look so scared when the doctor saw the screen?""
Diane didn't answer.
Daniel stared at his wife.
It was the silence that bothered him most.
He had been married to Diane for twenty years. He knew her nervous habits, the way she rubbed her thumb against her wedding ring when she was uncomfortable, and how she looked away when she was trying to avoid a difficult conversation.
She was doing all three.
Dr. Reynolds cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Carter, I need to ask you something.""
Diane looked up.
"Yes?""
"Have you discussed any previous medical concerns involving Maya with another healthcare professional?""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Previous medical concerns?""
Diane's face tightened.
"What does that mean?""
"It means I need to understand whether there is relevant medical information that hasn't been shared with us.""
Diane looked toward the door.
"No. Not that I can think of.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Can you think of something, or can't you?""
"Daniel, you're making this worse.""
"For whom?""
She didn't respond.
The doctor placed a folder on the counter.
"I'd like to review Maya's available medical history before discussing the next steps.""
Sarah handed him the paperwork.
While he examined it, Daniel pulled his chair beside Maya's bed.
"Sweetheart, listen to me. Whatever is happening, we're going to deal with it together.""
Maya nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on her mother.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Can I ask you something?""
"Anything.""
"Did Mom ever tell you I had to go somewhere for an appointment?""
Daniel frowned.
"What kind of appointment?""
Maya looked down.
"I don't know. She just said it was something I didn't need to worry about.""
Diane immediately stepped forward.
"Maya, don't confuse things.""
Daniel slowly stood.
"What appointment?""
"It wasn't important," Diane replied.
"Then it shouldn't be difficult to explain.""
"Daniel, please.""
"No. I'm listening.""
Dr. Reynolds looked up from the folder.
"Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, I think this conversation may be important. But I would prefer to establish exactly what Maya's examination shows before drawing conclusions.""
Daniel nodded reluctantly.
"Fine. Tell me what you can.""
The doctor glanced at the monitor.
"The ultrasound has revealed findings that require further assessment. There is an image consistent with a pregnancy.""
The room went completely silent.
Daniel stared at him.
For several seconds, he appeared not to understand the words.
"A pregnancy?""
Dr. Reynolds nodded carefully.
"Yes. The images suggest an ongoing pregnancy, although we need to complete the appropriate assessment to establish the details.""
Daniel looked at Maya.
Then at Diane.
Maya's face had gone pale.
"What?"" Daniel whispered.
Diane closed her eyes.
Daniel turned toward her.
"You knew?""
She shook her head quickly.
"Daniel—"
"Did you know?""
"I didn't say that.""
"Then tell me what you did know!""
Maya began crying.
"Dad, please don't shout.""
Daniel immediately lowered his voice.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart.""
Dr. Reynolds moved closer to the bed.
"Maya, I want you to understand that you're not in trouble. We're here to look after your health.""
Maya wiped her cheeks.
"Does that mean the pain is because of the pregnancy?""
"We need more information before we can determine exactly what's causing your pain.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
A pregnancy.
His seventeen-year-old daughter.
A hospital room.
And a wife who appeared to be holding something back.
He looked at Diane again.
"How long have you known?""
Diane finally lifted her eyes.
"I need to explain something.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Then explain it.""
She looked at Maya, then at the doctor.
And just as she began to speak, Dr. Reynolds interrupted.
"Before we continue, there is another finding on the ultrasound that I need to discuss.""
May you like
Everyone turned toward him.
And this time, even Diane looked genuinely frightened.
